JESS’S POST
If you’ve been to any of Waco’s coffee shops lately, you know that the students are out in full force. Finals are looming and papers are due. This season is truly living up to its “hustle and bustle.”
I’ve worked at Pinewood, a favorite local coffee spot, for about a year now. And like many service workers - I can at times be jaded about customer service and the varying interactions I have with people.
But today I’d like to tell you about a good one I had. A few weeks ago, a newer regular came in during election week. He asked me how I was doing. Customers ask me this every day, and I generally give a one word answer of “fine, good, or well.” But I could tell he was genuinely asking and had time to listen. And so I said, ya know? I’m not really doing that great. He looked back and said “to be honest, me neither. I’m really scared.” I looked back at him and said, “I’m really scared, too.”
And then I charged him for his americano with room for cream, and we went about our days. But that moment has stayed with me.
I am never one to find good in situations; in fact, if anything I find he bad, to my detriment. So I am certainly not writing to gloss over the deadly ramifications that another Trump presidency could have on the lives of many folks.
Here’s what I am writing about today: to remind you that we take care of us. At the end of the day, we are the ones who look out for each other. But this is more than a reminder to check on your people. This is me saying, UBC, the closest thing we have to sitting down in a room with Jesus the Christ is sitting down with another human. For me, this is the most critical message of Advent. Jesus may have come into the world as a baby. I wasn’t there; I can’t say for sure. But I can tell you that I have seen Jesus and felt His care when my customer looked at me in the eyes and said, “I’m scared, too.”
I’ve felt the presence of the human incarnate God when I wept with my therapist about the most private pains.
I’ve felt the nearness and farness of God as I’ve journeyed with a church that I loved but that eventually stopped loving me. And I’ve felt that same nearness and farness as I returned to a church that loved me implicitly before I loved it (that’s UBC, if you wondered).
Anyways, what’s the point of all this? What am I saying? I hope for us to remember that a critical way that God takes care of us is in the ways that we take care of each other. At the end of the day, we take care of us. So UBC: this Advent, may we be a people who lean in, share sorrow and joy, and who care for each other. And there - in the places of our deepest humanity - is where we find God, incarnate amongst us.
THIS WEEK
Youth Group - Wednesdays, 6pm
We meet at UBC from 6-8pm and dinner is provided. If you are a person between 6th and 12th grade please join us! For more regular updates on youth group please email emily@ubcwaco.org to get on the youth email list.
Pints w/ Toph- Wednesday, 6pm- Pinewood Public House
Advent Formation Workshops- Thursday, December 12th- 6pm (Childcare Available)
GIVING
UBC survives on the generosity of our congregation. Your financial contributions allow us to continue to create a space that is welcoming to all, embraces beauty, and seeks to live life to the fullest.
You can give, as you’re able, on Sunday mornings or set up a single or recurring online gift here.
If you ever have trouble with giving online or have a question about how to give, feel free to email administrator@ubcwaco.org.
CHURCH NEEDS
Youth Group Dinner Volunteers
We are in need of volunteers to bring dinner for youth group to enjoy together. Here is a link to sign up.
Kid’s Volunteers
It’s time to sign up for the fall rotation of kids volunteers! Never volunteered in a kids room? Fear not: there is a training on August 18th after church. Do it for the future! You can sign up here.
GROUPS
Micasas
Micasas are designed to build more intentional community within the larger community of UBC. They meet on either Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday night. If you would like to get plugged into a Micasa, sign-up in the foyer or contact toph@ubcwaco.org for questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Advent Formation Workshops- Thursday, December 5th, 12th, and 19th, 6pm (Childcare Available)
Christmas Eve Liturgy- Tuesday, December 24th, 5:30pm
Brunch Church- Sunday, January 29th, 10:45am
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Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
PREACHING SCHEDULE
12/15- Andie
12/22- Andie
12/29- Brunch Church
1/5- Andie
CONTACT INFO
Pastoral Staff
Andie Pellicer, Lead Pastor
(andie@ubcwaco.org)
Toph Whisnant, Community Pastor (toph@ubcwaco.org)
Jameson McGregor, Worship & Arts Pastor (jamie@ubcwaco.org)
Nicole Dizdar, Kids Pastor
(nicole@ubcwaco.org)
Leadership Team (leadershipteam@ubcwaco.org)
Britt Duke
Andy Clark
Aleigh Ascherl
Marcus Franklin
Shelly Taylor
Katie Robinson
Margo Shanks
Staff Support Team (staffsupport@ubcwaco.org)
Abbey Mackey
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken
Finance Team (finance@ubcwaco.org)
Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose